IRONBOUND

In the ironbound section near Avenue L
where the Portuguese women come to see what you sell
the clouds so low, the morning so slow
– Suzanne Vega

Welcome to the Ironbound, a neighborhood so named because it was bound on two sides by freight rail. Once predominantly German, Polish, Italian, the Ironbound has experienced waves of Brazilian and Portuguese immigrants since the 1950’s, making it one of the major centers of the Portuguese-speaking culture in the America. Today, the Ironbound offers an eclectic mix of European and Latin flair and grit that is easy to fall in love with. Its streets are dotted with cafes, restaurants, fresh food markets, art galleries, and shopping, providing an urban sensibility within a local backdrop.